Breath of God

Job 33:4 New International Version (NIV)

4 The Spirit of God has made me;

    the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Acts 17:25 English Standard Version (ESV)

25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

Philippians 1:6New International Version (NIV)

6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

I visited a loved one tonight, who's so very ill and so very brave at the same time, that I know God is still at work in his life.  I'm reminded that each breath is a gift from God and I suspect the sweetest will be the last breath breathed.  I live in a right to die state that allows for physician assisted suicide.  I am saddened by that.  When society sees no purpose in suffering, no beauty in dying, we all lose.  What if Jesus hadn't embraced the cross, hadn't suffered unto death?  But He did, and we have every reason to fully live the life he has given us.  

Beautiful Terrible Cross - Selah

The Digital Age - Rehearsals - "All Rise (Jesus, Majesty)"

How Can I Keep From Singing?

No Storm Can Shake My Inmost Calm by Br. Mickey McGrath

Matthew 8:23-27 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Calms the Storm

23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Job 35:10 New International Version (NIV)

10 But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker,

    who gives songs in the night,

My God, My Maker, gives me songs in the night.  What a glorious thought!  Anyone can sing in the day when all is well and the path is clear, but God composes his songs for the night when troubles and fears threaten.  He is my inmost calm; and, when I cling to this rock, I cannot be shaken.  

How Can I Keep From Singing? - Eva Cassidy

My life flows on in endless song;

Above earth's lamentation,

I hear the sweet, tho' far-off hymn

That hails a new creation;

Thro' all the tumult and the strife

I hear the music ringing;

It finds an echo in my soul—

How can I keep from singing?

What tho' my joys and comforts die?

The Lord my Saviour liveth;

What tho' the darkness gather round?

Songs in the night he giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm

While to that refuge clinging;

Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,

How can I keep from singing?

I lift my eyes; the cloud grows thin;

I see the blue above it;

And day by day this pathway smooths,

Since first I learned to love it,

The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,

A fountain ever springing;

All things are mine since I am his—

How can I keep from singing?

Newsboys - Hallelujah For The Cross (Lyric Video)

Oh, Deer

Psalms 42–72

Psalm 42[a][b]

For the director of music. A maskil[c] of the Sons of Korah.

1 As the deer pants for streams of water,

    so my soul pants for you, my God.

2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

    When can I go and meet with God?

3 My tears have been my food

    day and night,

while people say to me all day long,

    “Where is your God?”

4 These things I remember

    as I pour out my soul:

how I used to go to the house of God

    under the protection of the Mighty One[d]

with shouts of joy and praise

    among the festive throng.

5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?

    Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

    for I will yet praise him,

    my Savior and my God.

I've been thinking about deer tonight so this psalm comes to mind as well.  My husband survived a run-in with a deer late Saturday night.  It ran into his car or the car ran into him.  It's all a matter of perspective.  The deer survived as did my husband.  The car isn't looking so good, however, but it's still running.  Tonight I was driving in one of our town's two busiest streets and had my own deer encounter.  Thankfully the deer made it across the road without harm, causing only a traffic slowdown as drivers' eyes strained to see it in the dark.  The thought of a deer panting for water does well illustrate what my soul's desire is or should be for my God.  So because of this psalm; and, yes, I'll have to admit it, Disney's "Bambi" movie, I'm always going to appreciate deer... unless it's one standing in my headlights.  

I Need Thee Every Hour - Forbes Family

Joey+Rory - If I Needed You (Live)

What Love!

Romans 5:8 New International Version (NIV)

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Amazing Love (You Are My King) - Hillsong

Joey+Rory - Let It Be Me (Live)

Joey+Rory - Back Home Again (Live)

A Work In Progress

1 Thessalonians 5:23 English Standard Version (ESV)

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 10:14 English Standard Version (ESV)

14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Philippians 2:13 English Standard Version (ESV)

13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Philippians 1:6 English Standard Version (ESV)

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

I've uploaded a song to Youtube today about sanctification, a point of theology that I rarely discuss.  While I want to be like Jesus, I know I'll never perfect my holiness this side of eternity; and on the other side, the perfection will come by grace alone by which I have been saved.  Striving for holiness is something done out of love for God and more than a little fear.  He is, after all, God.  Who am I to deserve such love?  I'll never deserve it nor earn it, but I will accept it with great awe and trembling and deepest gratitude.  

Sanctified (feat. Victoria Williams, Buddy Miller, Julie Miller)

It's Sunday!

Vestibule of Baptist church during Sunday services. Hats belonging to steel and cotton mill workers. Gadsden, Alabama

Gentlemen, remove your hats.

When God Hides

Psalm 28:7 New International Version (NIV)

7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;

    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.

My heart leaps for joy,

    and with my song I praise him.

Isaiah 8:17New International Version (NIV)

17 I will wait for the Lord,

    who is hiding his face from the descendants of Jacob.

I will put my trust in him.

A rainstorm today has mostly kept me inside my house of the level path, but I don't mind too much; because I know the rain that keeps me inside is what makes it so beautiful outside.  At least I know it will be beautiful when the sun shines again clearing away the clouds that are hiding the magnificent range of mountains that God has placed in my town's back yard.  I pity the tourist who visits here during a cloudy day, because they can't appreciate what I know is there.  
This is also true of God.  I don't know why He challenges me to keep my faith in Him even when He hides His face, but He does.  I don't want to be a Christian fair weather tourist because my Jesus isn't a fair weather Savior.  I will trust the God who sent His Son to this depraved world to save a wretch like me.  When I can't see Him, I know that He still sees me.  I want Him to find me faithful.

I Will Trust In You My God (Hymn in A) - Matt Papa 

When darkness and despair

Have clouded oʼer my head

When I cannot see Your love for me I will trust in You my God

I will trust in You my God

Will You lead me safely home? Into Your arms where I belong I will trust in You my God

When sorrows fill my heart

And they leave me with only scars

When I donʼt understand Your perfect plan I will trust in You my God

Chorus

When Iʼm carrying my cross

And I think about giving up

When my breath is short and my mind is torn I will trust in You my God

Chorus

When Iʼm leaving this old world

I want my life to have only said

With every breath and at even death I will trust in You my God

Chorus

Yes, I Still Like Cows

Marianne Stokes

Carrie Underwood with Vince Gill How Great thou Art - 720P HD - Standing...

No Splainin Needed

Romans 8:28 New International Version (NIV)

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.

My mother is fond of quoting this verse, sometimes, she seems too fond, when things are not going well and she reminds me yet one more time that the verse says, all things.   It's then that I want to challenge God, and tell Him like Desi told Lucy, "You've got some splainin to do!"  My mother and God do seem to be on the same wavelength, however, and I know they both are right. So as I stand defiantly with arms akimbo and a foot ready to be stomped, I am brought up short in the presence of two such loving hearts. 

Trust His Heart 

Shine On Me!

John 8: 12

I Am the Light of the World

12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

let the light from the lighthouse shine on me - Marcia Sapp

Hours the Movie

A Still from the movie, "Hours" starring Paul Walker

Psalm 103:13 English Standard Version (ESV)

13 As a father shows compassion to his children,

    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

Proverbs 14:26 English Standard Version (ESV)

26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,

    and his children will have a refuge.

John 3:16 English Standard Version (ESV)

For God So Loved the World

16 “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Yesterday, I watched on Netflix the movie, "Hours" starring Paul Walker, a movie released after his death in a car accident.  That the movie is still with me says something about it's strengths.  Yes, it had it's weaknesses but it also had great strengths most notably in Paul Walker's portrayal of a man determined to keep his premature infant alive while struggling though Hurricane Katrina and it's immediate after effects.  Watching a father reach beyond his endurance to keep his child alive, has me thinking about what my Heavenly Father has done and will do for His children.  It reminds me why God refers to himself as our Father.  A father models God and His characteristics to his children.  Even a bad father is capable of teaching us what God's love as we come to believe in the only perfect Father we will have.

  

Hours Official Trailer #1 (2013) - Paul Walker Movie HD

By and By

John 13:7 New International Version (NIV)

7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

I likely will be forever grateful for a childhood spent singing the old gospel hymns.  Today I read what Jesus said to his disciples as He washed their feet and immediately the hymn, "We'll Understand It Better By and By" came to mind.  That truth is there, even if I don't always live like I know it.  Lord give me patience to wait until that By and By; and, as I wait, may I sing your songs and speak your truth.  

One of the earlier songs I upload to Youtube was Selah's version of the hymn, "By and By" 

By and By - Selah

Full Text of the Charles Albert Tindley hymn:
1. We are tossed and driven 
on the restless sea of time;
somber skies and howling tempests 
oft succeed a bright sunshine;
in that land of perfect day, 
when the mists are rolled away,
we will understand it better by and by.
Refrain:
By and by, when the morning comes,
when the saints of God are gathered home,
we'll tell the story how we've overcome,
for we'll understand it better by and by.
2. We are often destitute 
of the things that life demands,
want of food and want of shelter, 
thirsty hills and barren lands;
we are trusting in the Lord, 
and according to God's word,
we will understand it better by and by. [Refrain]
3. Trials dark on every hand, 
and we cannot understand
all the ways of God would lead us 
to that blessed promised land;
but he guides us with his eye, 
and we'll follow till we die,
for we'll understand it better by and by. [Refrain]
4. Temptations, hidden snares 
often take us unawares,
and our hearts are made to bleed 
for a thoughtless word or deed;
and we wonder why the test 
when we try to do our best,

but we'll understand it better by and by. [Refrain]

Antonio Neal - Welcome Home - Official Video

Riding Winged Horses

'A Wooden Horse in the Sky' 2007 Zadorine.net Andrey Zandorine

Revelation 6:2 King James Version (KJV)

2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

Revelation 19:11 King James Version (KJV)

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Psalm 34:18 New International Version (NIV)

18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

I uploaded another horse song today, "God's Wing'ed Horse" by Buddy and Julie Miller.  They are a very gifted couple, the Millers.  It's a country song about death and the bereaved sung by the one who has gone on ahead.  I loved the imagery in the lyrics, especially the line about a heart beating inside of God's chest.  I think that's exactly where I want my heart to be.  Will we ride winged horses?  I don't know.  Right now, as another song says, I can only imagine.  

God's Wing'ed Horse - Buddy Miller & Julie Miller 

Gather round my dear friends and be loving 

Lay me down, lay me down here to rest 

Though I'll stumble, I'll finish this long race 

Now my heart beats inside of God's chest 

CHORUS On His wing'ed horse we ride 

He comes down for me (for me) 

How we sorrow below to be parted 

Oh the tears that we she'd at goodbye 

God is close to the ones' broken hearted 

And he carries us up to the sky 

CHORUS

The Lord Is Close...

Psalm 34:18 New International Version (NIV)

18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

…to the brokenhearted.  I think that's why He may have created dogs.  The young man who lives in a dorm had to leave his dog behind, and that dog now comforts this mom with an empty nest.  It's nice to be close to the dog that was always close to the boy.  I can now understand why my mother's dogs have always seemed like siblings to me.  Mothers just have to mother.  This weekend is Father's weekend at my son's university and I'm a little bummed that I can't tag along.  I would, I really, really would go if we had money to burn; but we don't, so I need to be thankful that my husband can go.  Sigh.   I'll stay home and just smother that dog with love.  

It's Sunday!

Norman Rockwell

Lift Up Thine Eyes!

But for Grace

Ephesians 2:1 New International Version (NIV)

Made Alive in Christ

2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,

Ephesians 2:8-10 New International Version (NIV)

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

I'm currently in love with the Matt Papa song, "But for Grace," and have spent time today uploading it to Youtube.  Where would I be, indeed, but for grace?  

But For Grace 

Eph 2:1, Psalm 23, John 14

But for grace, where would I be Just a ship lost on the ocean Like a bird with broken wings Iʼd have no place, but for grace

But for grace, could I be saved

Can one dead by works be pardoned Lift himself out of the grave

Thereʼd be no way, but for grace

But for grace, Iʼd go astray

Often wandering from my shepherd Even on my best of days

Iʼd fall away, but for grace

But for grace, how could I stand Present trials overcome me Under this worldʼs heavy hand Iʼd surely break, but for grace

But for grace, could I get home

See that city Heʼs preparing

Join the saints around the throne Thereʼs be no place, but for grace Iʼm just a sinner on my own Couldnʼt see His face, but for grace

But for Grace - Matt Papa

I Like This

for KING & COUNTRY - "O God Forgive Us" (Official Audio)

Ready to Go

“In 1903 Horatio Nelson Jackson and driving partner Sewall K. Crocker became the first people to drive an automobile across the United States. Somewhere in Idaho, they obtained a Pit Bull named Bud. The Winton had neither a roof nor windshield, Jackson eventually fitted Bud with a pair of goggles.”

Hebrews 9:28 English Standard Version (ESV)

28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Mark 13:32 English Standard Version (ESV)

No One Knows That Day or Hour

32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Matthew 24:44English Standard Version (ESV)

44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

I enjoyed reading about Horatio and his dog, Bud, because we have a dog who would gladly bear all things, even goggles, if it meant she got a ride in the car. She watches my movements in the day and appears with remarkable foresight the moment I grab my car keys.  Actually she starts circling me when I put my shoes on or a jacket, then comes my purse, then the keys!  She's always ready to go and is disappointed if I tell her "Stay!"  I find myself even saying, as if she understood, "I won't be gone long.  I'll be right back!" 

My Jesus promised to come back for me and I know He will, even if I don't know when.  The current world crises have many wondering if it will be soon and we eagerly look for any sign that may tell us so.  Rather than reading the signs, we would be better occupied with our Father's business, doing what will matter in eternity, and when He says, "Come," we have nothing left to do but come.  

I'm Ready to Go [Live] - Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder

Cornerstone - Hillsong Worship

PawnShop kings - Love Like Jesus (Official Lyric Video)

Advice From the Cookie Monster

Psalm 119:50 New International Version (NIV)

50 My comfort in my suffering is this:

    Your promise preserves my life.

Cookies are always good, a panacea for present woes, but God's promises follow us into eternity. Still I'm thankful for cookies and I dearly hope there will be plates of warm chocolate chip cookies and glasses of cold milk in Heaven.

Johnny Cash, Startler Brothers - This Old House (Live)

God Has My Back

Psalm 17:5 New International Version (NIV)

5 My steps have held to your paths;

    my feet have not stumbled.

Deuteronomy 31:6 New International Version (NIV)

6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Psalm 37:24 King James Version (KJV)

24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

At one of the family reunions of my childhood, I teamed up with a girl my age from some branch of my family tree.  She had a horse.  That was cool.  She was fearless, also cool.  She gave rides on her horse, really really cool.   On one trip on the trail to the river, though, she ducked when a branch crossed our path letting it whack me off the back of her horse, not cool, not cool at all.  It was a hard learned lesson, but I learned it.  Stick with people you know will have your back no matter how many pretty ponies they may have.

God has my back.  He always has and always will.  He even has an amazing white horse, the one from the book of Revelation.  You can't get cooler than that.

Today I found myself indulging my not often revealed love for cowboy music, not country music, old time cowboy music, the get-along little doggies type cowboy music.  The Sons of the Pioneers are hard to beat.

Lead Me Gently Home, Father - Sons of the Pioneers

Lead me gently home, Father,

Lead me gently home;

When life’s toils are ended,

And parting days have come,

Sin no more shall tempt me,

Ne’er from Thee I’ll roam,

If Thou’ll only lead me, Father,

Lead me gently home.

Refrain:

Lead me gently home, Father,

Lead me gently home, Father,

Lest I fall upon the wayside,

Lead me gently home.

Lead me gently home, Father,

Lead me gently home;

In life’s darkest hours, Father,

When life’s troubles come,

Keep my feet from wand’ring,

Lest from Thee I roam,

Lest I fall upon the wayside,

Lead me gently home.

Glorious Unfolding -- Steven Curtis Chapman (Official Music Video)

All Glory to God

Isaiah 43:10 New International Version (NIV)

10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,

    “and my servant whom I have chosen,

so that you may know and believe me

    and understand that I am he.

Before me no god was formed,

    nor will there be one after me.

Isaiah 44:8 New International Version (NIV)

8 Do not tremble, do not be afraid.

    Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago?

You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me?

    No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”

1 Corinthians 8:6New International Version (NIV)

6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

Exodus 20:3 New International Version (NIV)

3 “You shall have no other gods before[a] me.

In my wanderings on the internet and TV this weekend I found myself disturbed  over examples of people who claim to be Christ followers bowing to man rather than God.  No church should be elevated over the Word of God.  No man should be elevated over Jesus our Lord.  Give all glory to God and God only be praised.

Soli Deo Gloria - Annie Moses Band

It's Sunday!

Wherever you are!

Jesus is My All

As wonderful as I may think I am, I'm not all that; at least I'm not all save for what Jesus has done for and in me.   God doesn't need me…well...because He's God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth…and even me; but oh how I need Him!  Anyone who has ever had a two-year-old child offer to help in a task knows that the you will expend more effort letting the child help rather than simply doing it yourself; but, because you love that child and want to see him grow and mature, you let him help.  I think that my own puny efforts to do stuff for God must make me much like to Him what that two year old is to me.  True life begins when I am living for Christ and not for myself.  
Again, I am up too late and must close before my face rudely meets my keyboard.  

"All That Thrills" - West Coast Revival. 

Purpose in Suffering

1 Peter 4:12-13 English Standard Version (ESV)

Suffering as a Christian

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

James 1:12 English Standard Version (ESV)

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Romans 14:8 King James Version (KJV)
8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

I've been reading up on a dreadful disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, because someone who is dear to me has been diagnosed with it.  It is a rare brain disorder with no cure apart from death; and I can rightly call death a cure because he will enter Heaven having been made whole and complete in the image of God.  What a glorious entrance that will be indeed for this faithful servant of God, released from the body that has so often failed him.  He has known better than most that suffering is part of our identity in Christ and has taught me this many times through the years by word and by example.  So now this uncommon man has an uncommon disease.  God will carry him through.  

A Shelter in the Time of Storm - George Banton

Deitrick Haddon - Well Done

A God to Brag About

I was bemoaning to my husband that I didn't know what to blog about so he gave me this verse.  I was still not sure what to blog about so he gave me these verses also:

Jeremiah 9:23-24 New International Version (NIV)

23 This is what the Lord says:

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom

    or the strong boast of their strength

    or the rich boast of their riches,

24 but let the one who boasts boast about this:

    that they have the understanding to know me,

that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,

    justice and righteousness on earth,

    for in these I delight,”

declares the Lord.

I think he's telling me to spend more time knowing God.  I may not have strength or riches, but I do have a good, kind and just God.  

  

Because my husband was singing bass in a men's chorale when I fell in love with him, I'm just a sucker for this kind of music.  

Great Big Wonderful God - The Imperials

There's Something About That Name [Live]

When It's Good to Surrender

Matthew 11:28-30 New International Version (NIV)

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Surrender - Third Day

Natalie Grant - Burn Bright (Official Lyric Video)

Fear Not

A discussion of flu shots at work lead to our fears of Ebola.  Children watching the news are afraid of beheadings, actually adults are too, if we'd be honest.  I remember how afraid I was as a small child during the Cuban Missile Crisis, afraid of the atomic bomb and afraid of the Russians.   After the planes crashed into the twin towers my son and his tiny schoolmates expressed fear over going outside lest a plane should fall on them.  Anyone watching the news would believe that we have an abundance of things to fear but still God says, "Fear not."  I can wish He followed that with a promise to banish all scary things from my door but He didn't; instead He promised His strength and help, His presence and His victorious right hand.   No matter how high and how strong we think we have built them, our personal borders will fall and bad things will happen.  Take heart and take His hand.  Remember who your God is and stand your ground.

Fernando Ortega - How Firm A Foundation

Chelsea Moon - Be Thou My vision

It's Good to Be...

1 Peter 2:9-10 New International Version (NIV)

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

…people of the light.

  Marvelous Light - Ellie Holcomb